DE102021123995A1 - vehicle side airbag - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle side airbag (10) comprises: an airbag main unit (46) housed in a vehicle seat (14) and configured to inflate on a side of an occupant (P ) expands and unfolds, and comprising a head chamber (46C) configured to cover one side of a head (H) of the occupant (P), and a pelvic chamber (46B) configured to cover a covers a side of a pelvis (L) of the occupant (P) when in an expanded and deployed condition; and a duct member (48) disposed within said airbag main unit (46) and configured cylindrically, said duct member (48) having a connection portion (48A) to which said inflator (42) is connected and a duct portion (48B ) connecting the head chamber (46C) and the pelvic chamber (46B) up and down in the expanded and deployed state, and at least a part of a rear edge portion of the duct member (48) is sewn to the airbag main unit (46). .

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a vehicle side airbag.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The Japanese patent application JP 2011 - 105 107A discloses a side airbag that expands and deploys to an occupant's side during a side impact. This one in the JP 2011 - 105 107A disclosed side airbag is configured to include a head-protective expansion portion (head chamber) that restrains the occupant's head, a pelvis-protective expansion portion (pelvic chamber) that restrains the occupant's pelvis, and an intermediate expansion portion that combines the head-protective expansion portion and the pelvic-protective expansion portion with each other connects. In addition, in the JP 2011 - 105 107A an inner tube (duct member) is disposed inside the intermediate expansion portion, and gas generated by an inflator is distributed to the head-protective expansion portion and the pelvis-protective expansion portion through this inner tube.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Now the one in the JP 2011 - 105 107A In some cases, the side airbag described may not be able to expand and deploy the head chamber and the pelvic chamber early due to the short length of the inner tube (line part). As a countermeasure, a configuration is conceivable in which an upper end portion of the inner tube is extended to the head chamber and a lower end portion of the inner tube is extended to the pelvis chamber. However, elongation of the inner tube causes the inner tube to wobble due to the inflow of high-pressure gas from the inflator, and it becomes difficult to expand and deploy the head chamber and the pelvic chamber to the intended positions.

The invention provides a vehicle side airbag capable of expanding and deploying the head chamber and the pelvis chamber to the intended positions at an early stage.

A vehicle side airbag according to an aspect of the invention includes an airbag main unit housed in a vehicle seat and configured to expand and deploy upon supply of gas from an inflator on an occupant's side when a side impact is expected or detected and comprising a head chamber configured to cover a side of a head of the occupant and a pelvic chamber configured to cover a side of a pelvis of the occupant when in an expanded and deployed state state, and a duct member disposed within the airbag main unit and configured cylindrically, the duct member including a connection portion to which the inflator is connected and a duct portion that connects the head chamber and the pelvic chamber in a state where the airbag main unit is expanded and deployed upwards and connects below, wherein at least a part of a rear edge portion of the pipe member is sewn to the airbag main unit.

According to the above aspect, the airbag main unit is stored inside the vehicle seat. When a side impact is expected or detected, the airbag main unit expands and deploys on the occupant's side, supplying gas from the inflator. The airbag main unit includes the head chamber covering the occupant's head side and the pelvic chamber covering the occupant's pelvis side in the expanded and deployed state. Accordingly, the occupant's side can be protected over a wide area by the airbag main unit in a side collision of the vehicle.

In addition, the cylindrically shaped duct member is arranged inside the airbag main unit, and the duct member includes the connection portion to which the inflator is connected. The duct member also includes a duct portion that connects the head chamber and the pelvic chamber up and down in a state where the airbag main unit is expanded and deployed. Accordingly, the gas generated at the inflator flows into the head chamber and the pelvis chamber via the connection portion of the duct member and the duct portion, and accordingly the gas can flow quickly into the head chamber and the pelvic chamber compared to a configuration in which no duct member is provided. Further, at least a part of the rear edge portion of the duct member is sewn to the airbag main unit, and accordingly, shaking of the duct member can be suppressed even when high-pressure gas flows into the duct member, and deviation of the positions of the head chamber and the pelvic chamber that expands and unfolds become can be suppressed.

In the above aspect, the airbag main unit and the duct member may be sewn together.

According to the above configuration, sewing the duct member over the airbag main unit enables a reduction in man-hours in manufacturing compared to a configuration in which the duct member and the airbag main unit are sewn individually.

According to the above aspect, the duct member may be sewn to the airbag main unit in a region including at least the connection portion.

According to the above configuration, the connection portion of the duct member is sewn to the airbag main unit. In the duct member, the connection portion to which the inflator is connected is the part where the gas generated at the inflator first flows. Therefore, when the connecting portion shakes, the entire piping portion located on the downstream side of the gas flow shakes, and the gas passage is unstable. Conversely, the wobbling of the connection portion is suppressed by sewing the connection portion to the airbag main unit, and the wobbling of the pipe portion due to the wobbling of the connection portion can be suppressed.

According to the above aspect, part of the duct member and the head chamber can be configured to be stored (i) in a folded state along a seat width direction at an upper end portion of a backrest, and (ii) toward a space between an upper rear surface a shoulder belt configured to restrain an occupant's torso on the seatback, and the headrest are extended and deployed.

According to the above configuration, the head chamber is expanded and deployed toward the space between the upper rear surface of the shoulder belt and the headrest. This allows the occupant's head to be restrained early in the event of a side impact. In addition, the head chamber is pinched between the occupant's head and the shoulder belt and accordingly can receive a reaction force from the shoulder belt, whereby the occupant's head can be restrained with a small volume.

In the above aspect, the duct member can be divided into an area located above the upper end portion of the seat back and an area located below the upper end portion of the seat back in the state where the airbag main unit is expanded and deployed. be sewn separately.

According to the above configuration, the duct member is separately sewn in above and below the upper end portion of the seat back, and accordingly, the portion of the duct member located at the upper end portion of the seat back is not sewn to the airbag main unit. In this way, the duct member can be arranged so that the gas flowing into the head chamber through the duct member travels the shortest path regardless of the position of the airbag main unit.

According to the above aspect, the vehicle side airbag of the present invention is capable of expanding and deploying the head chamber and the pelvis chamber to the designed positions at an early stage.

character list

• 1 ist eine Vorderansicht, die einen Fahrzeugsitz zeigt, an dem ein Fahrzeugseitenairbag gemäß einer Ausführungsform angebracht ist, in einem Zustand, in dem der Seitenairbag ausgedehnt und entfaltet ist;
• 2 ist eine Seitenansicht, die den Fahrzeugsitz zeigt, an dem der Fahrzeugseitenairbag gemäß der Ausführungsform angebracht ist, in einem Zustand, in dem der Seitenairbag ausgedehnt und entfaltet ist;
• 3 ist eine Darstellung, die flache Muster vor dem Nähen einer Airbag-Haupteinheit gemäß der Ausführungsform zeigt;
• 4 ist eine Darstellung, die flache Muster vor dem Nähen eines Leitungselements gemäß der Ausführungsform zeigt;
• 5 ist eine Darstellung, die schematisch einen Zustand vor dem Falten des Seitenairbags gemäß der Ausführungsform zeigt;
• 6 ist eine Darstellung, die 5 entspricht und eine Modifikation des Seitenairbags gemäß der Ausführungsform zeigt;
• 7A ist eine schematische Darstellung des Seitenairbags gemäß der Ausführungsform, gesehen von der Vorderseite des Sitzes; und
• 7B ist eine schematische Darstellung, des Seitenairbags gemäß der Modifikation, gesehen von der Vorderseite des Sitzes.

The features and advantages as well as the technical and economic importance of exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numbers designate the same elements, here:

• 1 12 is a front view showing a vehicle seat to which a vehicle side airbag according to an embodiment is mounted, in a state where the side airbag is expanded and deployed;
• 2 14 is a side view showing the vehicle seat to which the vehicle side airbag according to the embodiment is mounted, in a state where the side airbag is expanded and deployed;
• 3 Fig. 12 is a diagram showing flat patterns before sewing an airbag main unit according to the embodiment;
• 4 Fig. 14 is an illustration showing flat patterns before sewing a conductive member according to the embodiment;
• 5 12 is a diagram schematically showing a state before the side airbag is folded according to the embodiment;
• 6 is a representation that 5 12 and shows a modification of the side airbag according to the embodiment;
• 7A Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of the side airbag according to the embodiment viewed from the front of the seat; and
• 7B Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of the side airbag according to the modification viewed from the front of the seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A vehicle side airbag 10 according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that an arrow FR, an arrow UP, and an arrow RH in the drawings respectively denote a seat front side, a seat top side, and a seat right side of a vehicle seat 14 on which the vehicle side airbag 10 is installed. In describing the directions “front-back”, “right-left” and “up-down”, “front-back” is used in the seat front-rear direction, “right-left” in the seat width direction, and “after top-bottom" in the seat height direction, unless expressly stated otherwise.

Vehicle seat 14

The vehicle seat 14 on which the vehicle side airbag 10 according to the present embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as “side airbag 10”) is installed is configured to include a seat cushion 16, a backrest 18, and a headrest 20, as shown in FIG 1 shown. Also, a side airbag device 12 including the side airbag 10 and an inflator 42 according to the present embodiment is configured as shown in FIG 2 shown. It should be noted that in the 1 and 2 The vehicle seat 14 shown is arranged as a driver's seat on the left side of the vehicle with the forward direction of the seat and the forward direction of the vehicle matching. Also, right-left in the seat width direction and right-left in the vehicle width direction agree.

On the in the 1 and 2 Vehicle seat 14 shown sits instead of an actual occupant, a crash test dummy P. This dummy P is, for example, a globally harmonized side impact dummy (WorldSID) AM50 (50 percentile of an adult US male). Hereinafter, the dummy P is referred to as “occupant P” for the sake of simplicity.

The seat cushion 16 extends in the seat front-rear direction and in the seat width direction, and is configured to be able to support the buttocks and thighs of the occupant P. The backrest 18 is pivotally connected to a rear end portion of the seat cushion 16 and extends in the seat up-down direction and is configured to be able to support the passenger P's back. The headrest 20 is arranged at an upper end portion of the backrest 18 and is configured to be able to support the head H of the occupant P. As shown in FIG.

Seat belt device 24

The occupant P is restrained in the vehicle seat 14 by a seat belt device 24, as shown in FIG 1 shown. The seat belt device 24 is configured to include a webbing 26, a tongue plate 30, a buckle 32 and a retractor, which is not shown in the figure.

The webbing 26 is formed as an elongated strip and is provided with a shoulder belt 26A which restrains the upper body of the occupant P to the seat back 18, and a lap belt 26B which restrains the pelvis L of the occupant in a buckled state. The shoulder belt 26A extends obliquely from the shoulder portion S on the left side of the occupant P to the right side of the pelvis L. The lower end portion of the shoulder belt 26A is passed through the tongue plate 30. As shown in FIG.

The webbing 26 is routed through the tongue plate 30, which is configured to be removably attachable to the buckle 32 located on the right side of the seat. By attaching the tongue plate 30 to the buckle 32 , the occupant P is restrained by the webbing 26 .

The webbing 26 extends from the tongue plate 30 to the left side of the seat, and this portion extending in the seat width direction forms the lap belt 26B. Accordingly, the right-side end portion of the lap belt 26B is connected to the lower end portion of the shoulder belt 26A. The left end portion of the lap belt 26B is fixed to a belt anchor 34 provided on a floor panel 40 .

The upper end portion of the shoulder belt 26A is wound around a shoulder anchor, which is not shown in the figure, and is attached to the vehicle body. In addition, the end portion of the webbing 26 is wound around a retractor, which is not shown in the figure. Here, a configuration is provided in which when the webbing 26 is suddenly pulled out, an emergency lock mechanism of the retractor operates, thereby locking the webbing 26 from being pulled out. The retractor is also equipped with a pre-tensioning mechanism which responds when a collision is detected and forces the webbing 26 to retract.

Side airbag device 12

The side airbag device 12 is configured to include the inflator 42 and the side airbag 10 as shown in FIG 2 shown. In addition, the side airbag 10 is configured to include a bag main unit 46 and a duct member 48 . The conduit member 48 is also referred to as a sock, inner tube, flow regulating fabric, or diffuser.

The inflator 42 is a cylinder-like gas generating device formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and aligned with its axial direction along a side frame, which is omitted from the figure, constituting a frame of the seat back 18 . Also, a lower end portion 42A of the inflator 42 is connected to a connecting portion 46A of the side airbag 10 . A gas outlet portion is formed at the lower end portion 42A of the inflator 42 , and when a side collision of the vehicle is detected or expected, gas is generated from the gas outlet portion and the gas is supplied to the side airbag 10 .

The side airbag 10 is accommodated in the seat back 18 and expands by gas generated in the inflator 42 supplied thereto. The side airbag 10 expands on the occupant P side and unfolds on the outside in the seat width direction by tearing the skin of the backrest 18 under the expansion pressure of the side airbag 10 .

Now, the side airbag 10 is configured to include a pelvic chamber (lower chamber) 46B that expands and deploys from the shoulder region S to the pelvis L of the occupant P on the outside in the seat width direction, and a head chamber (upper chamber) 46C that expands expands and unfolds at the head H of the occupant P on the outside in the seat width direction. The side airbag 10 is configured as an integral bag member in which the pelvic chamber 46B and the head chamber 46C communicate with each other.

In the expanded and unfolded state, the pelvic chamber 46B is from the upper portion of the backrest 18 to the lower end portion as viewed from the seat width side, and has a substantially elliptical shape with the central portion extending toward the seat front side in the up-down direction arches. In addition, the head chamber 46C is in the expanded and unfolded state from the headrest 20 to the upper end portion of the backrest 18 and is substantially rectangular in shape to cover the head H of the occupant P as viewed from the seat width side. Further, the portion between the pelvis chamber 46B and the head chamber 46C is located at the upper end portion of the backrest 18 and is formed with a short length in the vehicle front-rear direction when viewed from the seat width side.

The head chamber 46C is configured to expand and deploy in the space between the upper rear surface of the shoulder strap 26A and the headrest 20 as shown in FIG 1 shown. In the present embodiment, for example, the head chamber 46C is stored in a folded state along the seat width direction at the upper end portion of the backrest 18 together with the duct member 48 described later. The head chamber 46C is configured such that when gas is supplied to the head chamber 46C, the skin of the upper end portion of the backrest 18 is torn due to the expansion pressure of the head chamber 46C, and the head chamber 46C extends toward the space between the shoulder belt 26A and the headrest 20 expands and is unfolded there. The manner in which the head chamber 46C and the ducting member 48 are folded is not particularly limited, and various ways of folding can be used as long as there is a configuration in which the head chamber 46C and the ducting member 48 are folded toward of the space between the shoulder belt 26A and the headrest 20 and deployed there.

Side airbag 10

The airbag main unit 46 constituting the side airbag 10 is formed into a substantially bag-like shape by sewing together two base fabric pieces 52 and 54, as shown in FIG 3 shown. In the 3 A two-dot chain line S1 shown on the base fabric piece 52 indicates a planned sewing portion for sewing the base fabric piece 52 and the base fabric piece 54 together. When in the description of FIG 3 until 5 the directions “up-down” and “front-back” are used, “up-down” in the seat-up direction and “front-back” in the seat-front-rear direction are indicated in a state where the side airbag 10 is expanded and unfolded unless expressly stated otherwise.

The scaffold piece 52 is configured to include a connecting portion component 52A, a pelvic chamber component 52B, and a head chamber component 52C. The pelvic chamber component 52B is the portion serving as the pelvic chamber 46B and is substantially rectangular in shape with the top-bottom direction being the longitudinal direction.

The connection portion component 52A is a portion that connects the connection portion 46A (see FIG 2 ) to which the inflator 42 is connected, and is shaped so as to protrude obliquely upward and backward from the rear end portion at the bottom of the pelvic chamber component 52B. In addition, the head chamber component 52C is disposed above the pelvic chamber component 52B and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape.

The foundation fabric piece 54 is shaped laterally symmetrically to the foundation fabric piece 52 and is configured to include, in the same manner as the foundation fabric piece 52, a connecting portion component 54A, a pelvic chamber component 54B, and a head chamber component 54C. The base fabric piece 54 is laid on the base fabric piece 52, and in this state, the two base fabric pieces 52 and 54 are sewn together according to the planned sewing portion S1, whereby the airbag main unit 46 is formed.

The duct member 48 is arranged inside the airbag main unit 46 as shown in FIG 5 shown. The duct member 48 has a substantially cylindrical shape with the upper and lower end portions open, and is configured to include a connection portion 48A and a duct portion 48B.

The connection portion 48A has substantially the same shape as the connection portion 46A of the airbag main unit 46 and is configured so that the inflator 42 is connected thereto. Thus, the inflator 42 is connected to both the connection portion 46A of the airbag main unit 46 and the connection portion 48A of the duct member 48 . In the present embodiment, for example, a stud bolt protruding from a peripheral portion of the inflator 42 is passed through the connecting portion 46A and the connecting portion 48A and fixed to the side frame of the seat back 18 with a nut or the like.

The duct portion 48B of the duct member 48 extends in the up-down direction of the seat to establish up-and-down communication between the head chamber 46C and the pelvic chamber 46B of the airbag main unit 46. As shown in FIG. A top opening portion 48C opening into the head chamber 46C is formed at the top end portion of the pipe portion 48B. Also, a lower-side opening portion 48D opening into the pelvic chamber 46B is formed at the lower end portion of the pipe portion 48B.

The duct member 48 constituting the side airbag 10 is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape by sewing together two base fabric pieces 56 and 58 as shown in FIG 4 shown. Two-dot chain lines S2, S3 and S4 drawn on the base fabric piece 56 in 4 12 and 14 show planned sewing sections for sewing base fabric piece 56 and base fabric piece 58 together.

The base fabric piece 56 is configured to include a connection portion component 56A and a conduit portion component 56B. The connection portion component 56A is a part that connects the connection portion 48A (see FIG 5 ) to which the inflator 42 is connected, and is shaped to protrude obliquely upward and rearward from the lower end portion and the rear end portion of the pipe portion 48B. Also, the line portion component 56B is shaped substantially rectangular with the top-bottom direction being the longitudinal direction.

The base fabric piece 58 is formed laterally symmetrically to the base fabric piece 56 and, in the same manner as the base fabric piece 56, comprises a connecting portion component 58A and a conduit portion component 58B. The base fabric piece 58 is superimposed on the base fabric piece 56, and in this state, the two base fabric pieces 56 and 58 are sewn together along the intended sewing portions S2, S3 and S4, whereby the conduction member 48 is formed.

Now, in the present embodiment, at least a part of the rear edge portion of the pipe member 48 is sewn to the airbag main unit 46 . Specifically, a part of the airbag main unit 46 and a part of the duct member 48 are sewn together at a sewing portion 60 and a sewing portion 62, as shown in FIG 5 shown. The ones indicated by thick lines in 5 Marked sections are sections sewn on top of each other.

The sewing portion 60 is a portion where part of the sewing-planned portion S1 of the airbag main unit 46 and the sewing-planned portion S2 of the duct member 48 are sewn together. Specifically, the sewing portion 60 is a portion sewn along the lower edges of the connecting portion 46A and the connecting portion 48A. Also, the sewing portion 62 is a portion sewn from the upper edge of the connecting portion 46A and the connecting portion 48A along the rear edge of the airbag main unit 46 to the upper end portion of the duct member 48.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the stitching portions 60 and 62 where the airbag main unit 46 and the conduit member 48 are stitched together are provided in an area including the connecting portion 46A. On the other hand, in the airbag main unit 46, a sewing portion 64 other than the sewing portions 60 and 62 is a portion where only the two base fabric pieces of the airbag main unit 46, namely the base fabric piece 52 and the base fabric piece 54 are sewn.

In the conductive member 48, a sewing portion 66 other than the sewing portions 60 and 62 is a portion where only the two base fabric pieces of the conductive member 48, namely the base fabric piece 56 and the base fabric piece 58, on which in 4 illustrated planned sewing section S4 are sewn. Accordingly, after the side airbag 10 is manufactured, the sewing portion 66 is not visible from the outside.

In performing the superimposed sewing of the airbag main unit 46 and the piping member 48, the piping member 48 is placed on the inside of the airbag main unit 46 in a state where the base fabric piece 56 and the base fabric piece 58 are sewn at the planned sewing portion S4 of the piping member 48 will. The connecting portion 46A of the airbag main unit 46 and the connecting portion 48A of the ducting member 48 have substantially the same shape in the present embodiment, and accordingly the airbag main unit 46 and the ducting member 48 can be positioned at this portion.

After the positioning of the airbag main unit 46 and the piping member 48 is completed, tacking is performed along the periphery of the airbag main unit 46 using needles at predetermined intervals. The sewing portions 60, 62 and 64 are sewn in the tacked state, whereby the side airbag 10 is manufactured.

Also, an end portion of a tether T is sewn to the rear end portion of the head chamber 46C of the airbag main unit 46 . The tether T is made of a strip of fabric material, and the other end portion of the tether T is attached to a headrest stay or the like, not shown in the figure, as a configuration for deploying the head chamber 46C in the intended position.

functionality

The operation of the present embodiment is described below.

The vehicle side airbag 10 of the present embodiment is expanded and deployed on the occupant P's side with supply of gas from the inflator 42 when a side impact is expected or detected, as shown in FIG 2 shown. The airbag main unit 46 has a head chamber 46C covering the head H side of the occupant P and a pelvic chamber 46B covering the pelvic L side of the occupant P when in the expanded and deployed state. Accordingly, the side of the occupant P can be protected over a wide area by the airbag main unit 46 in a side collision.

In particular, in a side impact, the head chamber 46C expands and unfolds in the space between the shoulder belt 26A and the headrest 20, so that the head H of the occupant P can be restrained at an early stage. In addition, the head chamber 46C is pinched between the head H of the occupant P and the shoulder belt 26A and accordingly can receive a reaction force from the shoulder belt 26A, whereby the head H of the occupant P can be restrained with a small volume.

Now, the cylindrically shaped duct 48 is provided inside the airbag main unit 46, and the connecting portion 48A to which the inflator 42 is connected is provided on this duct 48 as shown in FIG 5 shown. The duct member 48 is also provided with the duct portion 48B that connects the head chamber 46C and the pelvic chamber 46B up and down in a state where the airbag main unit 46 is expanded and deployed. Accordingly, the flow at the inflator 42 (see 2 ) generated gas via the connecting portion 48A and the pipe portion 48B of the pipe member 48 into the head chamber 46C and the pelvic chamber 46B, and accordingly the gas can quickly into the head chamber 46C and the pelvic chamber compared to a configuration in which no pipe member 48 is provided 46B stream.

In addition, in the present embodiment, at least a part of the rear edge portion of the ducting member 48 is sewn to the airbag main unit 46 by the sewing portions 60 and 62, and accordingly wobbling of the ducting member 48 can be suppressed even when high-pressure gas flows into the ducting member 48. As a result, deviation of the positions of the head chamber 46C and the pelvic chamber 46B that are expanded and deployed can be suppressed, and the head chamber 46C and the pelvic chamber 46B can be expanded at the intended positions at an early stage and be unfolded. In particular, a situation where the position of deployment of the head chamber 46C deviates and the head chamber 46C is deployed on the outside of the shoulder belt 26A can be effectively suppressed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the airbag main unit 46 and the duct member 48 are sewn together. Accordingly, the manufacturing man-hour can be reduced compared to sewing the conductive member 48 and the airbag main unit 46 individually.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the connecting portion 48A of the duct member 48 is sewn to the airbag main unit 46, and accordingly the shaking of the connecting portion 48A can be suppressed. As a result, the shaking of the pipe portion 48B on the downstream side due to the shaking of the connection portion 48A can be suppressed.

It should be noted that although the entire rear edge of the pipe member 48 is sewn together with the airbag main unit 46 by the sewing portions 60 and 62 in the present embodiment, this is not limitative. For example, a structure of the in 6 modification shown can be used.

modification

As in 6 1, a vehicle side airbag 70 (hereinafter simply referred to as “side airbag 70”) is configured according to a modification including the airbag main unit 46 and the duct member 48 in the same manner as the embodiment. The present modification differs therefrom in the portions where the airbag main unit 46 and the duct member 48 are sewn together.

The sewing portion 60 is the portion sewn along the lower edge of the connecting portion 46A and the connecting portion 48A in the same manner as in the embodiment.

On the other hand, a sewing portion 72 where the connecting portion 46A and the connecting portion 48A are sewn together from their upper edges following the rear edge of the airbag main unit 46 is provided. The stitching portion 72 corresponds to an area extending downward from the upper end portion of the backrest 18 in a state where the airbag main unit 46 is expanded and deployed. That is, the airbag main unit 46 and the duct member 48 are sewn together in a region from the connecting portion 46A to the upper portion of the pelvic chamber 46B.

Also, a stitching portion 74 is provided at the upper end portion of the pipe member 48 which is stitched contiguously to the rear edge of the airbag main unit 46 . The stitching portion 74 is located in a region extending upward from the upper end portion of the backrest 18 in a state where the airbag main unit 46 is expanded and deployed, i.e., in the region of the head chamber 46C.

An area between the stitching portion 72 and the stitching portion 74, i.e., an area corresponding to the upper end portion of the seat back 18 in a state where the airbag main unit 46 is expanded and deployed, is a stitching portion 76 which is not stitched superimposed. That is, the portions sewn one on top of the other are separated up and down, and the sewing portion 76 where the pipe member 48 is not sewn to the airbag main unit 46 is a portion which differs with respect to the airbag Main unit 46 can move freely.

In the side airbag 70 according to the modification described above, the duct member 48 can move freely in the area at the upper end portion of the backrest 18, and accordingly the gas supply of the head chamber 46C can be performed faster.

This process is described with reference to the 7A and 7B described. 7A FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram viewing the side airbag 10 of the embodiment in an expanded and deployed state from the front of the seat, and FIG 7B Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram viewing the side airbag 70 of the modification in an expanded and deployed state from the front of the seat.

As in 7A As illustrated, in the side airbag 10 of the present embodiment, the duct member 48 is sewn onto the airbag main unit 46 by the sewing portion 62 over an area from the pelvic chamber 46B to the head chamber 46C. Accordingly, the position of the duct member 48 coincides with the position of the airbag main unit 46.

Are reversed, as in 7B 1, in the side airbag 70 of the modification, the sewing portion 72 and the sewing portion 74 sewn one over the other are separated up and down, and the duct member 48 is not over the airbag main unit 46 in the sewing portion 76 between the Sewing section 72 and the sewing section 74 sewn. Accordingly, when high-pressure gas is supplied to the side airbag 70, the pipe member 48 can be arranged at a position connecting the pelvic chamber 46B and the head chamber 46C at the shortest distance.

Although the side airbags 10 and 70 have been described in relation to the embodiment and the modification, needless to say, the invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the gist. For example, although in the present embodiment, the duct member 48 and the airbag main unit 46 are sewn together at the sewing portion 60 and the sewing portion 62 as shown in FIG 5 illustrated, this is not limiting. That is, an arrangement may be adopted in which the cylindrical duct member 48 whose sewing is completed is placed inside the airbag main unit 46, and thereafter the duct member 48 is bonded to the airbag side by the sewing portion 60 and the sewing portion 62. Main unit 46 sewn. However, it should be noted that man-hours in manufacture can be reduced by superimposed sewing of the duct member 48 and the airbag main unit 46 . The overlaid sewing is advantageous also from the viewpoint of reducing the manufacturing cost since the amount of sewing material used for sewing can be reduced.

Although a configuration has been described in the above embodiment in which the head chamber 46C is expanded and deployed in the space between the shoulder belt 26A and the headrest 20 as shown in FIG 1 illustrated, this is not limiting. For example, a structure in which the head chamber 46C is expanded and unfolded on the outside of the shoulder belt 26A in the seat width direction can be used. Also in this case, connecting the pelvic chamber 46B and the head chamber 46C up and down by the ducting member 48 and sewing the rear edge portion of the ducting member 48 to the airbag main unit 46 offers the advantage that the head chamber 46C and the pelvic chamber 46B early can be expanded and unfolded in the intended positions.

Furthermore, the pelvic chamber is not limited to the in 2 shown shape limited as long as the pelvis L of the occupant P can be covered from the side. Likewise, the head chamber 46C is not limited to the in 2 shown shape limited as long as the head H of the occupant P can be covered from the side.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• JP 2011 [0002, 0003]
• JP 105107 A [0002, 0003]

Claims (5)

Vehicle side airbag (10) comprising: an airbag main unit (46) housed in a vehicle seat (14) and configured to expand and deploy on a side of an occupant (P) with supply of gas from an inflator (42) when a Side impact is anticipated or detected and comprising a head chamber (46C) configured to cover one side of a head (H) of the occupant (P) and a pelvic chamber (46B) configured to cover covers a side of a pelvis (L) of the occupant (P) when in an expanded and deployed state; and a duct member (48) disposed within the airbag main unit (46) and configured cylindrically, the duct member (48) having a connection portion (48A) to which the inflator (42) is connected and a duct portion (48B) which connects the head chamber (46C) and the pelvis chamber (46B) up and down in a state where the airbag main unit (46) is expanded and deployed, and at least a part of a rear edge portion of the duct member (48 ) is sewn to the airbag main unit (46). Vehicle side airbag (10) after claim 1 wherein the airbag main unit (46) and the duct member (48) are sewn one over the other. Vehicle side airbag (10) after claim 1 or 2 wherein the pipe member (48) is sewn to the airbag main unit (46) in a region including at least the connecting portion (48A). Vehicle side airbag (10) according to one of Claims 1 until 3 wherein a part of the duct member (48) and the head chamber (46C) are configured to be stored (i) in a folded state along a seat width direction at an upper end portion of a backrest (18), and (ii) toward a A space between an upper rear surface of a shoulder belt (26A) configured to restrain an upper body of the occupant (P) on the seat back (18) and a headrest (20) are expanded and deployed. Vehicle side airbag (10) after claim 4 , wherein the duct member (48) is divided into an area located above the upper end portion of the seat back (18) in the state in which the airbag main unit (46) is expanded and deployed, and an area located in is separately sewn under the upper end portion of the seat back (18) in the state where the airbag main unit (46) is expanded and deployed.

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